Editorial: Casino process is far from over

For supporters of expanding casino gambling in New York, it has been a long, arduous road. Now let's see if it can pay dividends.

On Tuesday, New Yorkers gave their blessing to allowing seven Las Vegas-style gaming casinos to be built around the state, and, initially at least, the Catskills could benefit the most from this decision.

That's because, under a plan passed by the state Legislature, the first four casinos are destined to go upstate. And the Catskills may be able to snag two of them, since it long has been considered the ideal area to capture the New York City area market, to bring those who otherwise might go to New Jersey or Connecticut to gamble to stay in New York and spend their money here. It also will create a wealth of construction jobs and more permanent opportunities after that.

Yes, there are trappings. The state Gaming Commission has to set up a committee to review proposals for the casinos, and it's unclear how transparent that process is going to be. Many things have to be considered, including the impact on roads and school districts. And then there are the overall concerns about gambling addiction and casinos attracting "bad elements."

But, as Gov. Andrew Cuomo accurately stated, New Yorkers weren't really choosing between gambling versus no gambling. For starters, the state already allows casinos on Native American land. For another, it allows video-lottery terminals at nine racetracks. What's more, there are more than 50 casinos in the Northeast, including 12 in Atlantic City and 11 in Pennsylvania.

The state's effort is designed, in part, to keep hundreds of millions of dollars from going across its border, and some of that money will be plowed into education and other worthy endeavors. As a result, tens of millions more annual visitors may come upstate and some at least will be inclined to do other things aside from visit or stay at a casino.

The state will gain tax money from the slot machines, and 10 percent of that money will be split equally between the host municipality and host county. Another 10 percent would go to local tax relief; the rest would go to the state's education system.

After years of trying to get around the constitutional change requirement, the state did the right thing by seeking voter approval. But it then made a mockery of that decision by approving language that essentially advocated a "yes" vote. That was a despicable decision by the Board of Elections. It's unclear how much the state was aided by the skewed language. Ultimately, it's likely a majority of voters simply felt that, on balance, casinos can help the upstate economy in particular and that New York should take that chance. Tuesday's vote closes one essential chapter in that process, but the public must keep in mind more decisions await.

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Editorial: Casino process is far from over

For supporters of expanding casino gambling in New York, it has been a long, arduous road. Now let's see if it can pay dividends.